Cycling the Bay Area & Stories from the Garden

Slowly I turn, step by step…

The summer sun remains high above and the weather here in Oakland is warm and seasonably agreeable. In fact, so agreeable that my little cherry tomato plant finally decided it would produce a few little tomatoes for me. I just have to get to them before Mr. Squirrel.

September Tomatoes

I have made a couple of additions to the garden – thank you Dad – those being an Aloe Vera and an ornamental grass of some sorts (note to self: look up new plant) that I hope will add additional dimension, texture, and shape to the ever evolving patio garden.

The 'other' side of the garden evolves

The patio garden is still what I modestly described as an ‘eclectic melange of miss-matched randomness‘ that I hope is pulling itself together through osmosis and the process of natural selection. Either way, I am delighted with my first season of patio container gardening and have learned a lot.

The take-away lesson for me this year was that I realized that plants really are not all that complicated and that care boils down to just three little things. Water, Sun, and Food

The Orchid bloom continues to grow

Much like investing in real estate, a plants success depends on its location, location, location. From my experience with real estate, even a gem of a house in a bad neighborhood or city (Hello Vallejo) will lose its glory and value. Same rule applies to a hearty plant in the wrong location, it will try to hold on but over time, it will be but a shadow of its former self.

If you get the location right, water deeply, and fertilize adequately, you will be rewarded with healthy, happy and beautiful plants. It doesn’t take a degree in horticulture, but it does take a bit of reading. Yes, gardening is about learning your plants – where do they come from, how do they grow in their natural environment, and how can you, the gardener, duplicate that environment. Learn about your USDA Zone, figure out how much sun you really get, it’s less than you probably think. I get a maximum of 4.5 hours of sun per day (in the middle of the patio), most areas get 3 to 3.5 hours. Not a lot, but as I proved to myself, enough.

Blue and Purple Hydrangea

All in all, I am pleased with my garden. I have learned a lot about different types of plants, and I learned what works and more importantly, what does not work in my location. The best learning opportunity for me this year – houseplants and in particular, Orchids.

The Orchids are doing well, the bloom picture above continues to grow and I really look forward to its bloom!! I divided one of the potted Orchids, creating 4 potted Orchids which I hope to watch flourish and grow over the coming years. They will be a staple of my blog going forward. I hope you will continue to enjoy the progress and follow along.

Newly potted Orchids

Until next time folks – may your soil be rich, your garden bountiful, and your friends abundant